Since opening the doors in January 2012 the RRC Wellness blog has amassed just over 2,000 unique visits resulting in over 10,000 page views. Wow!

The blog has been built from the contributions of 20 staff members, 2 students, and of course many readers.  We especially appreciate those readers who have taken the time to comment and compliment the authors on their posts, as it helps inspire them to keep sharing their thoughts, words, and pictures with you.

Since it’s the end of the year and the time for lists, here is a countdown of the Top 10 Wellness Blogs of the year (with a few others that didn’t make the Top 10 sprinkled in for good measure).

#10 – My Feet are Killing Me! – Stephanie Ruth Fraser’s post on plantar fasciitis comes in at the number ten spot, detailing signs of this condition and some suggested steps you might take if you are having troubles with your feet. Congratulations to Stephanie for her recent appointment as Assistant to our new VP Academic Stan Chung.

#9 –  A French Wellness Lesson – Guy Dugas, the outgoing (not to mention retiring) Chair of Accounting and Computer Education was one of the Wellness blogs most prolific and popular writers.  As you’ll see below, Guy appears several times in the top 10.  This particular post was an amusing, enlightening, and taste-bud tantalizing account of his vacation in France.  Caution – reading this post will make you hungry and thirsty.

#8 – Best Race/Worst Race – the post compiles vintage races from James Slade, Derek Kochenash, Judy McMullen, Mike Krywy, Guy Dugas, and Nancy Ball.  The best and worst moments are equally inspiring, touching, painful, and occasionally hilarious (see comment section). This post was used to help promote the Red River Fun Run an event inspired by Colin Fast (College Relations) and organized by the Run Club, the Wellness Committee, and the RRC Students’ Association.

#7 – Appreciating Nature – Mike Krywy comes in at Lucky #7 for his photographic reminiscence of the passage of summer.  His similar posts like Summer Ghosts and the Colors that Paint a Butterfly’s Wing failed the crack the top 10, but clearly struck a chord with other nature lovers at RRC. Incidentally, number seven is the first number he ever wore in hockey (another favorite topic of his).

#6 – Q+A with President Stephanie Forsyth – Part 1 and Part 2. Back in the spring RRC’s President Stephanie Forsyth took some time to share her thoughts on what it takes to build a wellness culture on campus, her own strategy for “being well”, and how wellness activities also include working with and within the community. Stephanie is a strong supporter of the College’s Wellness Committee serving as a judge for the third annual Chili Cup – which this year was won by Nursing instructors Tom Harrigan and Jackie Santiago.

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As I was doing my daily scan of news, interesting tidbits etc…I came across this interesting question. I am sad to say I was not nearly as creative as the gentlemen who answered below. Keeping our minds actively engaged is just as important as honing our physical selves, so how would you answer this question. Don’t jump ahead or you will ruin it.

What would you do?

You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car? Think before you continue reading. Read More →

No NHL hockey yet, but there’s still plenty of hockey being played on rinks throughout the province.  I passed by an outdoor rink in Oakbank on the weekend, and it was filled with kids and teens shooting the puck around. Nice to see.

This weeks’ hockey tip is on mastering the saucer pass. A saucer pass is a great technique for lifting the puck a few inches off the ice and dropping it onto your linemates’ stick.  It’s a lot like throwing a frisbee where you move the puck from the heel of the stick to the toe – creating a spinning saucer motion in the process.  I only began practicing this technique last year, as I got tired of having my passes around the net getting picked off because they were on the ice, or having my passes go into the rafters when trying to raise the puck a few inches. With a little bit of practice, I actually found the technique relatively easy to get the basics under my belt (which makes me wonder why I waited 3 decades to begin pacticing it ????). It takes a lot more practice and confidence to develop proficiency for using it is a game, but having an understanding and feel for the fundamentals is a good starting point.

Jeremy from HowToHockey.com has put up this tutorial – you can see his full range of videos here.  I like the way he mechanically breaks down the techniques – they’re usually among the best “how to” videos on Youtube.

The added benefit of learning the saucer pass technique is that it helps teach you to develop more “touch” when handling the puck. The technique relies on good simple mechanics, not strength and power.

Here’s one final video with Patrick Kane demonstating his skills (in case you’re missing the real NHL these days).

It is that time of year again when many of us start to think about our New Year’s Resolutions and what we can do to improve our relationships and well-being going forward.  Some are thinking about nutrition, others weight management, while others may be thinking about exercise, spirit, finances, work, retirement, addictions, and enhancing family relationships.  Our list is ever changing!  I think by now, those of us “seasoned” New Year Resolutioners have come to realize that relying on an annual New Year’s Resolution is folly and somewhat demoralizing at best.

I know firsthand that when making simple and sustainable reality based life style changes, self-education is the first step to long term changes.  Simply attending a workshop on “Emotional Intelligence” and “Personalities” created “life changing” realities for me. The truth is that no one is as responsible for our reality but us and decisions we make; no matter how difficult some of these decisions may be.  We also may decide to do nothing, but that is certainly still a decision which may or may not come back to haunt us in the coming months or years.

What is important for me is the awareness and understanding of the potential impacts such decisions have on my well-being going forward.  Too often, many decisions are made without enough support, information or education.  This is where our RRC Wellness Program supports can provide a light in the tunnel.  Your Wellness Committee is actively identifying and promoting wellness related activities, events, education and services, and also planning for many more to come.

The good news is that the decision is ours! Consider checking out what our Wellness Program has to offer:

• read the Wellness Blogs, or better yet, submit your own post
• utilize the Health Services (ie: site info, immunizations etc)  and fitness facilities
• check out our Wellness Portal (great links packed with info), RRC Library and guides (e.g. Retirement)
• attend events and Lunch and Learn presentations to keep you on your wellness path!

Remember, baby steps are most often the way to giant leaps.  Can’t get any easier than this – check out my previous YouTube video blog on “Better Health in 30 Minutes”.

 “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” (Maria Robinson)

Submitted by Mary-Ann Shukla

When I mention to people I use meditation to reduce stress, I get mixed responses. Sometimes it is a snicker or I might get an occasionally ohmmm… more often the response is one of interest. When I read the article attached I saw how other people and companies are introducing meditation into the workplace. It did get me thinking “so how could I introduce this to my workplace”. If and when I figure that out I’ll  let you know.

In the meantime the article was for me an affirmation that I am not alone in my struggles and I should continue my practice and more importantly share what works. Those of you on the fence about what to do about your stress level read on – Meditation finds an omm in the office.

The City of Winnipeg offers many great programs which it promotes bi-annualy via it’s Leisure Guide. You can check out the city’s site here and find a a pdf version of the 2013 Winter Leisure Guide here.

Here are a few highlights:

• Registration for swimming lessons begins December 11th
• Registration for all other programs begins on December 12th
• There are three ways to register – online, by phone (311), or in-person at select location (see the Guide for details)

The Guide is full of activities for pre-schoolers, children and adults.  Recreational activities include gymnastics, swimming, martial arts, dance, badminton, soccer, squash, basketball, skating lessons and hockey.  There are also many leisure and creative activites like cooking, pottery, and other artistic activities.

Aside from these programs, the guide has contact information for community centres and features on other regular activities in the city. Too much to summarize in a post – check it out yourself – you’re bound to find something of interest.

One in three Canadians experience dementia. Are you one of them?

Dementia affects people, families, communities and work environments. One in three of us either have dementia, are caring or supporting a person with dementia, or know someone with dementia.

In 2008 there were approximately 19,500 diagnosed cases of dementia in Manitoba. Alarming considering that the average diagnosis takes between four-to-seven years after on-set!

Did you know…

• that the number of diagnosed dementia cases in Manitoba is forecasted to double by 2038 with the advancing ages of baby boomers
• that informal caregivers supplied 9 million dollars in “unpaid” help to people experiencing dementia in 2008 and that this number is expected to reach 22 million by 2038
• that 40 per cent of Canadians aged 55-84 years reported that almost 40 per cent of the “never retired” workers financial plans for retirement were less than adequate (Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
• that almost 20 per cent of “never-retired” or “returned to work” employees report problems with memory/cognition

If you have any questions about dementia, supporting someone with a diagnosis, or seeking support for yourself in your caregiving journey, contact the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.  We are here to help!

Submitted by Maria Mathews of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

* RRC is running a Lunch and Learn series on December 10th on “Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Realities of Rising Tide & Dementia in the Workplace”.  Learn more about trends in dementia-care, what it means for you, your family and your workplace. Please Register as seating is limited.

Hello. Today I am writing to get everyone involved in a dream I have. I have always wanted to write a book, so I have come up with an idea to get me on my way. I know that everyone at some point in their lives has had dreams and something they wanted in life. I came up with this concept for the book to help me get closer to my dream.

I would like to include you in my dream by asking that you participate with me. I want you to

• take a 4×6 card, paper or photo,
• write your dream on it,
• create it with art, paint, photos, anything you want,
• then mail it to me.

That’s it. It could take as little as 5 minutes or a lunch out with your colleagues. This is all anonymous so I won’t know who sends me what – so feel free to say anything you wish. After I have collected enough dreams I will print them into a hard cover book. Then I will have reached a dream by creating my book. I might look to publish it but that might be another dream. 😉 Have to put the dreams in order.

Join the Facebook group “I dream book” and the event. Any questions feel free to contact me. Pass this to everyone you know. Talk about it. I will also have a kids section so have your kids send me their dreams.

Mail dreams to:

I dream

650 Goulding St.

R3G2S2

Also look up the youtube videos for more inspiration at “I dream” channel satorisound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM353TQZbXM

Thanks – Mario De Negri

Recently, I listened to a webinar about walkable communities. I thought about my own experiences, about wellness at the college, and what we could do to promote walking and a more walkable campus. Three presenters spoke, and I really enjoyed hearing different perspectives from Sam Schwartz Engineering, the Center for Disease Control (health focus) and America Walks (community engagement).

My biggest take away was exercise improves health. One neat statistic from The Center of Disease Control was that “6 bouts a day of 2-3 minutes of stair climbing improves cholesterol and fitness in college women”.

Now they had my attention – and it got me thinking about my experiences here at the college – and where and how much I walk. The session left me with some neat ideas on how to promote walking, and how we could make the campus more inviting for walking. Some of the ideas I liked were creating a map of outdoor walkable routes, creating walking/running club (which I believe exists). I then thought about walking indoors especially as we head into winter – and walking in the mall or the stair wells.  Wouldn’t it be great to have some fitness information about how many calories I burned or how many steps I took? Could I use a pedometer to help track my success? These and other ideas could be a great part of a regular wellness routine.

So now that I have thought and talked about walking –  how about I just get up and do it! See you in the stairwells.

Seven years ago I moved out to an acreage that has it’s own mini-forest on it.  Since moving there, I’ve spent many hours wandering through the woods, trying to understand the land and the things that live there. When I first began wandering, there were very few trails to be found, and I’d often follow deer tracks or crash blindly through the brush in my boots or snow shoes.

One year I decided to mark the oak trees in order to get my bearings.  I then used these oaks to plan my resting spots and devised a trail system around them. The Bur Oak is a grand tree – able to survive drought and fire, resilent to disease and insects, and a vital food source for  bear, deer, and many other birds and animals.

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